Singing South African firefighters locked in wage dispute

The South African firefighters who were sent to Canada say they are being paid just $15 per day.

The South African firefighters who gave us all chills with their singing upon arrival in Canada – where they were deployed to help fight a big blaze – are currently locked in a wage dispute. The firefighters did not work on Wednesday over a pay dispute.

CBC reports that the firefighters are being paid as little as $15 a day.

Bitiro Moseki is one of the firefighters based at a camp north of Fort McMurray. He said they are being paid $15 a day. “It’s fifteen not even per hour, it’s fifteen per day,” said Moseki.

CBC say that it has seen a contract that appears to be between the firefighters. CBC reports:

It shows the firefighters signed a contract that stated they would be paid a total of $50 a day, split into two payments.

The contract agrees to pay them $15 a day now, with the balance of $35 a day paid out within six months of their return to South Africa. This is over and above their home wages, which has not been disclosed.

The contract calls for the South African firefighters to work 12 hours per day on a 14-day work cycle, with three days off at the end of 14 days.

While Moseki agrees the above-mentioned contract was signed, he says that he is concerned by reports that they are earning much more.

“We are not here for money, we are here to assist you,” said Moseki and said t he firefighters have turned to the South African commissioner in Canada for help to resolve the issue.

Alberta’s provincial government confirmed the dispute.

“We contract with the South African government based on a rate per day per firefighter,” Alberta Agriculture and Forestry said in a statement.

“We’re paying the rate. It’s our understanding these firefighters are being paid what they agreed to before they arrived. But if there is a disagreement here, it’s between the firefighters and their employer and not with the Government of Alberta.”